Michael Feinstein's American Songbook (2010)
Pianist-singer Michael Feinstein leads a tour through American musical history, from the jazz days of the 1920s through the music of World War II and on into the 1950s and '60s, with the advent of rock 'n' roll. In his quest to celebrate some of America's finest composers, he touches on the works of George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. The passionate preservationist shares personal stories of his efforts to save America's musical heritage, as well as anecdotes about composers and lyricists he's worked with over the years.
📺 Seasons & Episodes
Season 13 episodes
1. Putting On the Tail Fins (1950s–1960s)
⏱ —In the 1950s and 1960s, the Great American Songbook competed with new forms like rock ‘n’ roll, and rhythm & blues. As Feinstein crisscrosses the country performing with big bands, symphony orchestras and jazz combos, viewers learn how iconic singers like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney kept the Songbook alive by reinventing pop standards of the 1930s and 1940s.
2. Best Band in the Land (1940s)
⏱ —While preparing an original patriotic song, Michael weaves in the history of 1940s big bands, USO shows, V-disks, war bond rallies, and the powerful role popular music played in boosting morale.
3. A New Step Every Day (1920s–1930s)
⏱ —In the fast and furious 1920s and 1930s, jazz was hot, credit was loose, and illegal booze flowed freely in underground speakeasies. Between performances, Feinstein illustrates the impact of talking pictures, the dawn of radio, and the fledgling recording industry. Additionally, it introduces viewers to other collectors and musicians who keep the spirit of the Jazz Age alive today.
Season 23 episodes
1. Time Machines
⏱ —No description available.
2. Lost and Found
⏱ —No description available.
3. Saloon Singers
⏱ —Nightlife has always played an important role in popular culture, from Delta juke joints to the Vegas strip. Join Michael on a tour of nightclubs, from blues dives to the casinos where Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack reigned; and get a private tour of the now-closed Liberace Museum in Las Vegas.
Season 33 episodes
1. Show Tunes
⏱ —Stars in the Broadway universe don’t shine much brighter than Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury and Christine Ebersole.
2. Let's Dance
⏱ —Fred Astaire is Michael Feinstein’s favorite singer—but he also was the favorite singer of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the Gershwins. Why was this dancer, first-and-foremost, so beloved by the America’s great composers?
3. On the Air
⏱ —Today, American Idol is the country’s biggest music star-maker, but decades ago, the Golden Age of Radio fulfilled the idol-making role in the USA.
